Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Lady luck can shine on Constitution Hill

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty looks over the pick of the action on days three and four of the Punchestown Festival.

Punchestown, Thursday

There’s a field of 25 for the Listed handicap hurdle (4:15pm) and I like one right at the foot of the weights in the shape of CUSTOM TAYLOR. He went up six pounds for winning a nice novice handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse just over a week ago and had won on his previous start too, so he’s two from two since he’s had a visor fitted. He has some good form too, when second to a nice sort in Will The Wise in a maiden hurdle January. The ground should suit him, having won a bumper on good ground last May, and I think he’s an improving horse. He’s a solid each-way play in an open and competitive race.

SIXANDAHALF got beaten in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but can make up for that by winning the Listed Mares’ Novice Hurdle (4:50pm) here. The mare that beat her at Cheltenham, Air Of Entitlement, has disappointed since, but Henry’s [de Bromhead] horses aren’t just running to form at the minute. Sixandahalf was just touched off there and that is definitely the strongest form on offer. She didn’t run at Easter when conditions were too soft but they should be spot on for her at Punchestown.

MAJBOROUGH was very unlucky at Cheltenham when making a mistake at the second last like he did. He looked like he was going to be a good winner before that and he still rallied to finish a good third, so he can gain some compensation in the Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (5:25pm). Before those errors he had jumped reasonably well and I wouldn’t have a concern about his jumping at Punchestown. I’d say he should reverse placings from the Arkle with Only By Night and she might be the one to chase him home.

TEAHUPOO won this race, the Grade 1 Champion Stayers’ Hurdle (6:00pm), last year. He comes here fresh having had a break since Cheltenham and it looks very hard to oppose him. Hiddenvalley Lake put in a good performance to win at Aintree, but I think Teahupoo’s form is stronger than anything he has shown to date. Teahupoo has proved himself a very consistent horse and it will take a smart performance to beat him.

Punchestown, Friday

It’s very hard to see DINOBLUE being beaten in the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase (4:50pm). Conditions should be ideal for her and she had both Brides Hill and Allegorie De Vassy, who fell at the last when beaten, behind her when she won at Cheltenham last time. It’s hard to see either of those two turning the form around.

The first of two Grade 1s on Friday is the Champion Novice Hurdle (6:05pm). Final Demand has about five lengths to find with THE YELLOW CLAY on their run in the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. It was a brilliant effort from The Yellow Clay to finish a narrow second to The New Lion and I feel that conditions here might suit him more than Final Demand. Away from the top two, there could be a bit of each-way value in TRIPOLI FLYER. He jumped badly right at Aintree, but now back going right-handed, I think we could see better from him here.

The Champion Hurdle (6:40pm) see a fascinating rematch from Cheltenham between CONSTITUTION HILL, State Man and Golden Ace. Constitution Hill and State Man both found themselves on the floor after falls in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham which allowed Golden Ace to come through and win. I’ve heard plenty of good reports on Constitution Hill’s wellbeing, he schooled well over some baby fences last week in Seven Barrows which you’d hope would help increase his awareness and help him concentrate at his obstacles. He has lived on the edge with his jumping in the last couple of seasons and it’s now beginning to catch up with him. He was probably a little bit unlucky at Aintree whereas what he did at the fourth last at Cheltenham was completely ridiculous – he was so far off the hurdle when he picked up. At Aintree there looked to be a little bit of indecision in his mind, so I don’t think he was being as stupid there as he was at Cheltenham. They have the old-style wooden hurdles at Punchestown, which have a little bit more presence about them in comparison to the padded hurdles. When I was riding over padded hurdles, I just found horses wouldn’t pay as much attention to them, and I think horses can become complacent, so perhaps the old-style hurdles here will be a bit of a help to Constitution Hill. You’d like to think that lady luck will shine on him this time and if he jumps round, he wins, it’s that simple!